Illumigen raises cash

Illumigen Biosciences has an unique approach to drug research: Study extremely healthy people and then find the genetic mutations that make them resistant to diseases.

The Seattle company, founded six years ago by former University of Washington genomic researchers Charles Magness and Shawn Iadonato, recently raised $6 million in venture capital financing with another $2 million on its way. Total financing after a recapitalization now stands at about $16 million.

The company’s experimental drugs — which are still four to five years away from commercial development — are targeting hepatitis C infection and obesity.

“What Illumigen is doing is the opposite of what everyone else is doing in the drug industry,” said Magness. “We are looking at super healthy individuals… to find the beneficial mutation that is protecting them against infection.” By studying those mutations, Magness said the company can very quickly turn around a new drug program.

Earlier this year, the company started studying very lean individuals in an effort to identify what makes people thin. Through past research of drug users who never got hepatitis C, the 13-person company has identified a protein that may protect people against the infection.

Pacific Horizon Ventures and angel investors participated in the most recent financing.

Illumigen raises cash

Illumigen Biosciences has an unique approach to drug research: Study extremely healthy people and then find the genetic mutations that make them resistant to diseases.

The Seattle company, founded six years ago by former University of Washington genomic researchers Charles Magness and Shawn Iadonato, recently raised $6 million in venture capital financing with another $2 million on its way. Total financing after a recapitalization now stands at about $16 million.

The company’s experimental drugs — which are still four to five years away from commercial development — are targeting hepatitis C infection and obesity.

“What Illumigen is doing is the opposite of what everyone else is doing in the drug industry,” said Magness. “We are looking at super healthy individuals… to find the beneficial mutation that is protecting them against infection.” By studying those mutations, Magness said the company can very quickly turn around a new drug program.

Earlier this year, the company started studying very lean individuals in an effort to identify what makes people thin. Through past research of drug users who never got hepatitis C, the 13-person company has identified a protein that may protect people against the infection.

Pacific Horizon Ventures and angel investors participated in the most recent financing.